February 7, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 5,1423

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KARACHI, Feb 6: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should set some sort of standards for running of private coaching academies, former Test medium-pacer Jalaluddin said.

Jalal, the pioneer behind the Customs Cricket Academy, noted with alarm that most of the coaching academies in the country are run by non-qualified coaches who even have no knowledge of cricket’s basics.

“A few of these academies are operated by ex-Test cricketers, who necessarily are not ‘good coaches’. A qualified coach must have the acquired knowledge of the game from the grassroots level,” he said. “In the presence of such coaches, we are only wasting time with young kids.”

Jalal urged the PCB to look at the coaching side, which is the base of cricket infrastructure. “The Board should take necessary steps to identify competent coaches.”

He also hoped for Pakistan putting up an excellent performance in the World Cup.